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BG's Favorite Chordal Movements - Topic Driven
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In this lesson, I share 20 of my favorite chordal movements drawn from both major and minor ii–V progressions. Each example is demonstrated and discussed in depth, with a focus on how to bring out the musicality behind the changes.
We’ll explore essential concepts such as chrom...
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Don't Let me be Lonely Tonight - Tune Based
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In this lesson, we use James Taylor’s Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight as a vehicle for exploring melodic improvisation. The main focus is on approaching improvisation the way a singer approaches a lyric—prioritizing phrasing, lyricism, and storytelling over mechanical thinking.
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Moon River - Chord Melody
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In this lesson, I walk you through my full process for arranging Johnny Mercer’s Moon River for solo guitar. Rather than simply teaching a finished arrangement, the focus is on understanding the musical decisions behind each phrase—so you can begin to develop your own voice in s...
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Confirmation - Tune Based
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In this lesson, we take a thoughtful look at Charlie Parker’s Confirmation, one of the most iconic and intricate bebop heads in the jazz repertoire. The melody poses unique challenges for guitarists, as Parker’s saxophone-specific phrasing and embellishments don’t always transla...
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Jeannine - Tune Based
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In this lesson, we take a close look at Duke Pearson’s classic tune Jeannine. The piece presents a compelling opportunity to explore modal harmony and the expressive use of pentatonic scales, with special attention given to the unusual shift from Ab minor to Ab major. We also br...
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Here's That Rainy Day - Chord Melody
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In this lesson, we’ll break down the solo guitar arrangement of Here’s That Rainy Day by Jimmy Van Heusen. I’ll walk you through the techniques I used, from chromatic movement to dominant approaches, and show how tritone substitutions can really open up the harmony. Full PDF inc...
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Stompin at the Savoy - Tune Based
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Enjoy this lesson on the classic Chick Webb and Benny Goodman tune Stompin’ at the Savoy. We’ll focus on time feel at medium-slow tempos, where a strong eighth-note feel is essential. I’ll also break down the harmonic structure, especially the turnaround to the ii-7 chord. The a...
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Black Orpheus - Tune Based
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Black Orpheus: A Guitarist’s Guide to Harmonic Minor 🎸
Luiz Bonfá’s Black Orpheus is a beautifully simple tune that serves as a perfect introduction to the harmonic minor scale in jazz. This lesson explores how the tune’s changes highlight ii-V progressions in both major and mi...
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Waltz For Debby - Tune Based
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This lesson explores Bill Evans’ Waltz for Debby through the lens of jazz guitar. Focus on comping and lyrical soloing over the changes, with special attention to mastering the classic turnaround in F major. Perfect for guitarists seeking to deepen their improvisation skills and...
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Modal Comping - Topic Driven
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In this lesson, I explore techniques for using fourths to comp horizontally rather than vertically. By inverting fourth voicings, you can uncover unique and unexpected harmonic textures. I demonstrate how to apply these concepts to modal tunes and II-V progressions. A PDF is inc...
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Polka Dots and Moonbeams - Chord Melody
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In this video lesson, I present my chord melody arrangement of Jimmy Van Heusen’s “Polka Dots and Moonbeams.” We will explore the harmonic choices behind the arrangement, designed to be both accessible and musically captivating. A PDF of the complete arrangement is included for ...
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A Night in Tunisia - Tune Based
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In this video lesson, I guide you through Dizzy Gillespie’s “A Night in Tunisia,” using it as a framework to explore the Lydian ♭7 scale and triad pairs. We’ll analyze the tune in detail, covering the harmonic choices throughout. The lesson includes a PDF and a backing track fea...
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Developing Vocabulary - Essential
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In this lesson, I share my approach to internalizing the musical language found in bebop standards by Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. While memorizing solos is key to deepening your jazz musicianship, extracting phrases from tunes like "Donna Lee" and "Groovin' High" can off...
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Turnaround Chordal Approaches - Topic Driven
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Taking inspiration from a recent Instagram video that I did, this lesson explores the strategy of turnarounds, enhancing your understanding of this widely-used chord progression. The detailed lesson offers clear explanations, applicable advice, and is accompanied by a thorough P...
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Jingles - Tune Based
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Check out this amazing new lesson on Wes Montgomery's Jingles. In this comprehensive session, I look into every aspect of the song, guiding you through its structure and nuances. I explore essential topics such as improvising over static minor chords and navigating II-V progress...
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All of You - Tune Based
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Join me in this video lesson as I dive deep into the classic Cole Porter tune, "All of You." I cover everything from the susb9 chord to the minor 6 pentatonic, as well as techniques for comping and soloing. This lesson includes a detailed PDF with both notation and tab, plus a b...
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Prelude to a Kiss - Chord Melody
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Step into the smoky, dim-lit world of jazz guitar mastery as I delve into the art of arranging Duke Ellington's timeless piece, "Prelude to a Kiss." Join me as I unravel the nuances of my approach to crafting solo guitar renditions that not only sound nice but are also playable....
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Creating Double Time Jazz Lines - Topic Driven
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Ready to take your improvisation to the next level? Join me for an exciting new video lesson where I dive deep into the art of creating lengthy 16th note double time lines.
In this lesson, I unveil the secret to mastering double time: it's not just about technique, it's about ha... -
Daahoud - Tune Based
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Dive into the heart of hard bop with my lesson on Clifford Brown's classic tune, "Daahoud." This video focuses on unraveling the language of jazz, with a spotlight on this tune's unusual turnaround. Grammy award-winning drummer Ulysses Owens provides a stellar backing track, ens...
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The Anatomy of a Compelling Jazz Line
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Dive into my latest lesson video, “The Anatomy of a Compelling Jazz Line," where I explore what makes a jazz line truly special from both linear and bebop perspectives. Delving into the essentials of interest, momentum, and meaning, this lesson breaks down the key ingredients th...